Braintree teacher on reasons she is going on strike

Keri Russell, 48, works as a secondary school biology teacher - and has said she'll be striking tomorrow, Wednesday, February 1.

The mum-of-five has been in the role for four years, after moving away from a position in higher education.

She said she "can't really afford to strike" - and says she doesn't want to - but sees it as necessary.

Keri says teachers' hard work and care is being "taken advantage of" by the Government.

She recalled "19 or 20 hour days" during Covid - and said she still has to work beyond her contracted hours to get everything done.

Despite being a subject head at her school, Keri said she is paid similarly now to what she was 20 years ago working in local government without a degree.

Teacher Keri Russell is set to strike tomorrow (Image: SWNS)

Keri, from Braintree, said: "I can't really afford to strike, but I feel I really need to do something.

"I do the job because I absolutely love teaching - I love the moment when the lightbulb clicks for a student, and when they share their aspirations for the future.

"But for most teachers, if you totted up the amount hours they do, it probably equates to less than minimum wage.

"Teachers are here because we care, and we are being wholeheartedly taken advantage of by the Government.

"I went into teaching thinking I probably won't earn loads of money, but I did it because I wanted to.

"But when it feels like that isn't being appreciated, it's a really big deal. It does have an impact.

"I don't want to strike, but we need to have our voices heard, and for teachers to be recognised as the professionals they are."

Keri moved to teaching secondary school biology four years ago, coming from working in higher education after getting a degree in life sciences.

Before that, she worked in local government as an early years development worker.

Keri reckons she was earning a similar salary in that role to her current teacher wage - even though it was 20 years ago and before she had a degree.

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She often finds herself working longer hours than she is paid for - which is common in the profession.

But even when she finally gets home for the evening, she often has to continue work to get all her marking and planning done for the following day.

She said: "I know some teachers who say they make a habit that they don’t do work at home, but I don’t see how I could do my job without finishing work at home."

She recalled virtual lessons during lockdowns during the pandemic, where "most of us were working 19 or 20 hour days".

She said: "I have young children so had to look after them in the day, and record my lessons at night.

"If I had five classes the next day, that's five hours of recording to do at night.

"Then I had to be available in the day for the class at the other end of the computer as well.

"During lockdown, I probably worked the hardest I ever have in my life."

But she says teaching isn't just about lessons and marking work, but the additional responsibilities.

She said sometimes it is "not humanly possible" to stop thinking or worrying about something which occurred that day.

Keri says teachers are being taken advantage of (Image: SWNS)

"You might have a child come to you with an issue," she said.

"You've reported it and done everything you can, but you're sat at home still worrying about it."

She feels the Government "puts no trust or value in teachers" and that teachers are being "wholeheartedly taken advantage of".

So Keri feels she has "no choice" but to strike on Wednesday - even though she doesn't really want to.

She said: "The old phrase is 'if you can't do, teach' - and I think the Government still sees it that way.

"We don't just teach though. Sometimes I'm there as a sounding board, sometimes I'm a social worker.

"Sometimes I'm the one who brings in pens and pencils because my students don't have them - because I care.

"The Government have wholeheartedly taken advantage of that."

She added: "We're seeing wages cut in real time due to inflation.

"When teachers like me could be working in higher education or labs, you can see why there's a shortage of teachers in subjects like science and maths.

"You can understand why teachers are leaving."